Pete 386 Straight Truck

P51bombay · Jun 25, 2008

Yesterday I got a very brief look (truck headed other way on the highway) at a Peterbilt 386 straight truck, looked to have either a 36" or 48" flat top sleeper and probably a 24 foot box, dual chrome everything up front, tandem drives. First one I've seen, and it looked pretty cool. Anyone have any thought on such an animal?

greg334 · Jun 25, 2008

I saw a blue cab white box the other day when I was escaping NYC. it was pretty interesting.

arkjarhead · Jun 26, 2008

Is the 386 the remake of the 379? I've seen a couple Pete 379 straights before.

juliewray60 · Jun 26, 2008

From heavydutytrucking.com:

The big news for Peterbilt this year was the
reintroduction of an aero model based on the
UltraCab/ UniBilt cab/sleeper to supplement the
big-cab 387. Designated the 386, the new model
substantially fills the old slot vacated by the 377
A/E when the 387 came along.

That's not a change of heart for Peterbilt. And in
fact, the 377 never really went away. However, it
did become a variant of the 385 series, available
only as a daycab.

With the 386, though, Peterbilt has added a second
aero sleeper model that offers customers an alternative
to the 387. Or rather, a complement to the big-cab model
for customers who either want the features of the bolt-together
cab/sleeper or simply want both models in a more mixed fleet.

And seriously greg. Smart @ss post like yours was totally
uncalled for and unappreciated by most.
Post count +1
Content Value = ZERO

greg334 · Jun 26, 2008

juliewray60 said:
And seriously greg. Smart @ss post like yours was totally
uncalled for and unappreciated by most.
Post count +1
Content Value = ZERO

Julie, you're an idiot. There is no way around this, you are.

I didn't write anything uncalled for or unappreciated, just stated two facts - I saw one and I was escaping from NY, so stick it.

Now you are judging content value?

Who made you a judge of what other people derive from anyone’s posts?

So for your feeble mind, here are the details so you can see what that two sentence post was all about.

I was stuck on the cross Bronx express from 278/95 split to the GWB for over two hours last Friday afternoon and at a point just ahead of me was merging traffic. When the traffic merged, almost next to me was this new pete straight truck, nice blue cab and sleeper with a white dry box. While we were both very slowly moving along, I was able to get a good look at it, sometimes passing it and sometimes it passed me. It took me a little bit to realize that it was a 386, and I was surprised to see it. It had a carrier APU, Anthony lift gate, two axles and roll up doors. Oh and for you, it had shinny wheels that went around and around, nice and pretty. There was a PA tag on it but no company name on it or anything that id'ed who owned it. By the time we hit the GWB, he was far ahead of me thanks to another expediter who could not get off the phone.

So as I said, I saw a blue cab white box the other day when I was escaping NYC. It was pretty interesting. Sorry for my nonsensical sentence, it was a rush job to get it posted between phone calls with people who seem to be a bit more intelligent than you.

By the by, if you are so concern with the post count, maybe you need a hobby.

juliewray60 · Jun 26, 2008

Backpedaling at its finest !!!!!!!!!!

.....and how selective weve suddenly become
in regards to your time usage:

"it was a rush job to get it posted between phone calls"

Just like those numerous ......."nevermind"

~~I'm the idiot ? Yeah, thats it~~

Tennesseahawk · Jun 26, 2008

juliewray60 said:
And seriously greg. Smart @ss post like yours was totally
uncalled for and unappreciated by most.
Post count +1
Content Value = ZERO

Bombay posted "Anyone have any thought on such an animal?"
Greg's response was on topic and not seen by me as being smart donkey. However, the above portion of your response WAS. You post good stuff on here, but that doesn't mean you can jump on someone's case because you don't like them. That's a sure way of getting a vacation from posting. We'd rather you stick around. As I've said, you're an informative member. Try to keep it that way. Thanx.

juliewray60 · Jun 26, 2008

Tennesseahawk said:
Bombay posted "Anyone have any thought on such an animal?"

Not a problem. I can "play" blind
as well as the next.

greg334 · Jun 26, 2008

juliewray60 said:
Backpedaling at its finest !!!!!!!!!!

.....and how selective weve suddenly become
in regards to your time usage:

"it was a rush job to get it posted between phone calls"

Just like those numerous ......."nevermind"

~~I'm the idiot ? Yeah, thats it~~

No backpeddling here, it really doesn't apply - learn the meaning of it.

No selectivity about it - I didn't have time to write details of my NYC visit or the sights I saw in the first place, nevertheless, I saw one.

And yes idiot because you could not let it go, you just had to have a come back.

Like T-hawk, I welcome you to post useful and even amusing things for others to learn by or ponder but you seem to have a personality that can't accept people for who they are, not all but a few people which I am one of them.

x06col · Jun 26, 2008

to answer your question bombay, might be a bit overkill for comfort if you are running single, and i'd sure keep an eye on the empty weight depending on how many donuts. If, you can field one outa yer *** pocket, then it dont make any difference. enjoy!

P51bombay · Jun 26, 2008

greg334 said:
When the traffic merged, almost next to me was this new pete straight truck, nice blue cab and sleeper with a white dry box. While we were both very slowly moving along, I was able to get a good look at it, sometimes passing it and sometimes it passed me. It took me a little bit to realize that it was a 386, and I was surprised to see it. It had a carrier APU, Anthony lift gate, two axles and roll up doors. Oh and for you, it had shinny wheels that went around and around, nice and pretty. .

Mud slinging aside - sounds great, where to I sign?

I thought it was interesting as other than the odd older day cab its the only Pete straight truck I've seen and it looked quite good. Got me to thinking that the 386 seems to have a lower hood line (and presumably better visibility) than something like a T660 which a few of which I see now and then, usually they have a cat on the side.

The also seem to sit a little lower or give that impression - could just be the fenders site closer to the rubber. If this goes, I'm still debating on ST or tractor/pup so just looking at different options for now. Looking through truckpaper it seems virtually every 386 has an ISX whereas at least some of the 660's have the smaller ISM which seems better weight wise while still making decent power.

I'm not overly concerned about weight, maybe a little about ending up heavy on the steers but it seems that with a small (36-48") sleeper and more box it shouldn't be to much of a problem as long as the engineers get the drives in the right spot. I run local so that is why the small sleeper and it is more to make room for a laptop, microwave, small fridge and maybe a printer than having a bunk - though there are times when a good nap would be just the thing.

Having never seen the inside of one, is a Pete sleeper cut away on the rear cab wall like a KW is or?